Cook Library Scholars

On September 16, 2013, GAAH welcomed 31 elementary and middle-school students into the inaugural class of Cook Library Scholars, which is designed to engage families as it prepares youth in the Grandville Avenue neighborhood to achieve academic success and to serve as future leaders. The year-round program offers after-school and summer support in reading, writing and math, along with a mentorship program, arts education, leadership and life skills training, and other enrichment activities. Designed to provide wrap-around support for students and their families to ensure that they have the tools necessary to succeed academically, parental involvement is a critical part of the success of the program. Families are asked to make a long-term commitment to the program, and parents are engaged in regular workshops.

The Cook Library Scholars program celebrates partnerships with a wide variety of organizations and schools in Grand Rapids, including Grand Rapids Public Schools, Calvin College, Grand Valley State University, Kids’ Food Basket, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, and more.